Obituaries

Sep 18, 2025

Deborah Marie Smith, 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at home with her family at her side, after a courageous 15-year battle with cancer. She fought the cancer with all her might until there was no fight left.

She was born March 4, 1954, to S. Luther and Audrey (Sande) Simonson. She was the...

Sep 15, 2025

Rosemary Lillian Miller, 83, of Dodge Center, MN passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna, MN.

Rosemary was born on August 20, 1942, in Faribault, MN to John and Cyrilla (Evans) Frodl.  She graduated from Waterville high school in 1960.  On April 24, 1965, she married Lawrence...

Sep 14, 2025

David Paul Klocke, 74, of Kasson, MN passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN.

Dave was born on April 26, 1951, in Austin, MN to Paul and Darlene (Loew) Klocke.  He graduated from Anchorage Alaska Schools.  He served in the Alaskan National Guard from 1969-1975.  On November 29, 1969,...

Sep 3, 2025

Donald E. Sparks, 85, a longtime area resident, most recently of Rochester, MN, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Hospital of stage 4 colon cancer and its related complications.

Don was born April 27, 1940, in Dodge Center, MN to William and Valetta (Bernard) Sparks. He attended Kasson-Mantorville schools where he...

Aug 27, 2025

Allen Dale Miller, 89, of Burnsville, MN, formerly of Mapleton and Hayfield, MN passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Havenwood of Burnsville in Burnsville, MN.

Allen was born on September 3, 1935, in Lu Verne, IA to Henry and Alzina (Johnson) Miller.  He attended Lu Verne and Mason City, IA high schools.  Upon graduation, he...

Aug 20, 2025

Phyllis Ann Purvis, 83, longtime resident of Kasson, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, MN.

Phyllis was born on September 17, 1941, in Garden City, Minnesota to Flavious and Laura (Hislop) McGrew. She attended and graduated from Welcome Memorial High School in Garden City, MN in 1959. She...

Aug 18, 2025

Richard Verlyn “Dick” Hyland, 95, of Hayfield, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, at Fieldcrest Care Center. His life was a rich tapestry of music, craftsmanship, family, and quiet adventure—a life lived with purpose, humor, and heart.

Born on a farm in Vernon Township to Obert and Alma (Jensen) Hyland, Dick was the seventh of...

Aug 12, 2025

Debra Jean (Ketchum) Nicklay, 73, of Owatonna, MN, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Birchwood Cottages in Owatonna, MN. Debra was born on March 14, 1952, in Owatonna, MN to Gordon and Nova (Kiefer) Ketchum. She was united in marriage on August 6, 1976, to Timothy Nicklay. Together they had five children, Rebecca, Eric, Nathan, Brandon, and...

Aug 12, 2025

Brenda Lea Hanenberger, 56, of Byron, MN passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

Brenda was preceded in death by her father, Orlando Hanenberger; grandparents and many other aunts and uncles.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Curt Klingsporn; mother, Florence Hanenberger; brother, Allen (Betty) Hanenberger; children, Cory (Amanda) Hanenberger, Megan (Riley)...

Aug 12, 2025

Allan "Al" Keith Ruport, 88, of Kasson, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at home, where his family lovingly cared for him in his final days.

Allan, a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather & great-grandfather, was born on October 27, 1936 in Mantorville, MN to Ronald and Mildred Ruport. He was raised...

Aug 5, 2025

Gloria Jeanne Brown, 90, of Kasson, MN passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus in Rochester, MN.

Gloria Jeanne (Halvorson) Brown, daughter of Gaylord and Rose (Evans) Halvorson, was born on June 5, 1935, in Roseau, MN. She graduated from Roseau High School as valedictorian of her class in 1953. She attended...

Aug 2, 2025

William “Bill” Orville Ogilvie, age 73, a longtime resident of Rochester, MN passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at his home after a battle with Pancreatic cancer.

Bill was born on October 29, 1951, in Blue Earth, MN to James and Mavis (Christian) Ogilvie. He attended and graduated from Blue Earth High...

Jul 31, 2025

David Michael Wilcox, 55, of Mantorville, MN, died by suicide at his home on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Dave was born November 16, 1969, in Rochester, MN. He graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School. He attended University of Wisconsin-River Falls and, later, flight school in Dallas, TX, where he got his pilot’s license.

Dave was raised on the...

Jul 26, 2025

Jace Scott Wohlfiel, age 27, of Mantorville MN, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 26, 2025. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and everyone lucky enough to have known him.

Jace is survived by his loving parents, Leroy and Erika Wohlfiel of Mantorville, MN; his siblings Taryn and Drew (Katie) Wohlfiel; and his...

Jul 23, 2025

Steven “Steve” Rodger Sorenson, lovingly known as “Sorny,” passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the age of 68, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Steve was the son of Rodger and Vivian Sorenson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Scott. He is survived...

Jul 18, 2025

Joyce Karen Wetzstein, age 81 of Owatonna, formerly of West Concord, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna.

Joyce was daughter of Talbert and Anna Maria (Geier) Waits. She was born in Eugene, OR, on August 2, 1943. She grew up in Kasson with her sister Loretta and graduated from Kasson-Mantorville...

Jul 17, 2025

JoLeen Michelle (Stoddard) Hammon of Rochester, Minnesota passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the age of 55, surrounded by her many friends and family at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and kindness that touched the hearts of all who knew her. JoLeen “Joey” was born on December...

Jul 15, 2025

David Selmer Gronseth, 61, of St. Louis Park, formerly of Pine Island, MN passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Estates of St. Louis Park, MN.

A private family burial was held in St. Margaret's Catholic Cemetery in Mantorville, MN. To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801...

Jul 14, 2025

Shirley Jean Hinsch, 98, of Hayfield, MN passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield, MN.

Shirley was born on June 5, 1927, in Spring Valley, MN to Clarence and Pearl (Madden) Finck.  She graduated in 1946, from Boxholm High School in Burnside, IA.  She married Charles Lloyd Hinsch on April...

Jul 9, 2025

Charles August Stoelk, 92, of Hayfield, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN. He was born on April 30, 1933, in Audubon County, IA, the son of Charles and Augusta (Paape) Stoelk.

The Stoelk family moved from their farm in Iowa to a farm near his grandparents...